Don't know the reason for not getting picked: Ganguly

Though Sourav Ganguly is disappointed with the way he was ignored by the 10 Indian Premier League franchises during the players' auction, he has no hard feelings for Kolkata Knight Riders' co-owner, Shah Rukh Khan, who he says offered him the role of a team mentor. HT reports.

Though Sourav Ganguly is disappointed with the way he was ignored by the 10 Indian Premier League franchises during the players' auction, he has no hard feelings for Kolkata Knight Riders' co-owner, Shah Rukh Khan, who he says offered him the role of a team mentor.

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The 'Prince of Kolkata' says he has contributed in a big way to building what Team India is today and denied bringing politics to the sport.

On being ignored in the IPL auction
I had the runs. Players of my age, Gilchrist, Dravid and Laxman, are still actively involved. I haven't been able to put the finger on the button why I was left out. Cricketing logic and past form suggests I should have been picked. There are reasons I could have been dropped, but not for cricket.

On whether srk betrayed him
SRK spoke to me about a possible role as KKR mentor. I don't think KKR needs a mentor. I see no role there. The team already has enough expertise in (Dav) Whatmore and (Wasim) Akram. I wanted to play and not mentor the team. I didn't see myself in the sort of role (Anil) Kumble has chosen.

On whether the KKR was handled badly
We had the acumen to deliver, but suffered a confidence problem. I felt there was panic every time we lost. There was panic among the owners, panic among the players. But you need continuity in a team to deliver like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

On the franchises stalling his re-bid
I was very disappointed. The rules of the IPL have been changed in the past. Every rule in sport should give an opportunity to play, not keep them out. Whether it's Sourav Ganguly today or some other player sometime. COURTSEY: headlines today